And former Real Madrid, Leeds, Spurs Newcastle and Middlesbrough defender Woodgate has revealed he sometimes hits the re-wind button when he's watching Stones in action on TV – because he can't believe the youngster's outrageous talent.

Like Stones, Woodgate's ball playing skills at centre back marked him out in English football and won him a £13.4 million move to The Bernabeu in 2004.

And the one-time England star is convinced Stones - set to try and stop Chelsea star Diego Costa at The Etihad Stadium on Saturday - would be put on a pedestal in Spain instead of constantly being under the microscope in the Premier League for 'over-playing'.

Stones in action against Barcelona in the Champions League (Photo: Getty Images)

“In Spain he would be absolutely adored. He gets the rough end of the stick, but fair play to him because he’ll keep on trying things.

“If he gives it away he goes again because he’s confident and has a pair of b *** s. He wants to play out and that’s why Pep Guardiola bought him.

“Sometimes he needs to learn when not to do it but we’re talking about a 22 year old here," said Woodgate, speaking exclusively to 888sport. "We should be embracing him for how good he is on the ball.

Woodgate is a fan - and so too is Pep Guardiola (Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

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“He needs to learn a few bits and pieces but that will come: there are not many defenders who come complete at his age. He needs to be given a chance and he should play for England for the next 12 years because he’s that good a player.

“I’ve seen some of the things he’s done at Everton and just think ‘oh my God’. I’m excited watching it. I even rewind it back because I love that type of centre half!

“And I hear he’s a really nice, sound lad too which is good.”

Woodgate was no stranger to criticism either in his playing days at Madrid after scoring an own goal and getting sent off on his debut against Athletic Bilbao.

Woodgate joined Los Blancos in 2004 (Photo: Getty)

Woodgate says England must place their faith in Stones (Photo: Alex Morton - The FA)

And the former defender, now 36, reckons Stones should be cherished by new Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate – because his centre back options are so slim.

“We need to give English centre-halves a chance or the national team will suffer. The quality is good but the numbers aren’t there.

“Phil Jagielka is 34, you have Stones and Michael Keane while Ben Gibson is coming through at Middlesbrough.

“But when I was coming through I was competing against Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Jamie Carragher and Ledley King. There was a load of us competing for places with Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate as well.

Woodgate says Stones needs to be a mainstay in the England defence (Photo: 2016 The FA)

"Now we have so few because foreign players outweigh English players a lot so the English lads aren’t being given a chance to play.

“We can’t get them from the youth teams into the first teams and their pathways are getting blocked. Look at Chelsea who have won the UEFA Under 18 League twice on the spin and they’re still waiting.

“Back in the day if you won a youth cup a couple of those players would get into the first team. The quality is there without a doubt. We’re just not giving them a chance.”

Woodgate, who now scouts in Spain and Portugal for Liverpool, smiles when he looks back on his crazy debut for Madrid.

Woodgate had an interesting time of things in the Spanish capital

“I just laugh. I’m not really bothered about it to be honest as it’s just part of life.

"I was just unlucky that it happened on my debut but there are not many who can say they played for Real Madrid so you just move on.

“In the week after I was fine because I was back after injury and we won the game. Defenders score own-goals and get sent off.